Alberta storm leaves hundreds of motorists and passengers stranded

Hwy 2 crash carnage 100 car pile up March 21, 2013

A multi-vehicle crash of up to 100 cars on Highway Q.E. 2 south of Leduc, Alta., about 33 km south of Edmonton has sent up to 300 people to hospital with injuries. Photo Courtesy Jeremy Hamilton/Edmonton Sun Reader photo

Jeremy Hamilton/Edmonton Sun Reader photo

Alberta Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation Derek Fildebrand was on a Red Arrow bus from Calgary to Edmonton when they came across a multi-vehicle crash of up to 100 cars on Highway Q.E. 2 south of Leduc, Alta., about 33 km south of Edmonton that has sent up to 300 people to hospital with injuries on March 21, 2013. No one on the bus was injured. Photo Courtesy Derek Fildebrandt/Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Derek Fildebrandt/Canadian Taxpayers Federation

A multi-vehicle crash of up to 100 cars on Highway Q.E. 2 south of Leduc, Alta., about 33 km south of Edmonton has sent up to 300 people to hospital with injuries. Photo Courtesy Jeremy Hamilton/Edmonton Sun Reader photo

Jeremy Hamilton/Edmonton Sun Reader photo

A multi-vehicle crash of up to 100 cars on Highway Q.E. 2 south of Leduc, Alta., about 33 km south of Edmonton has sent up to 300 people to hospital with injuries. Photo Courtesy Jeremy Hamilton/Edmonton Sun Reader photo

Jeremy Hamilton/Edmonton Sun Reader photo

A multi-vehicle crash of up to 100 cars on Highway Q.E. 2 south of Leduc, Alta., about 33 km south of Edmonton has sent up to 300 people to hospital with injuries. Photo Courtesy Jeremy Hamilton/Edmonton Sun Reader photo

Jeremy Hamilton/Edmonton Sun Reader photo

A multi-vehicle crash of up to 100 cars on Highway Q.E. 2 south of Leduc, Alta., about 33 km south of Edmonton has sent up to 300 people to hospital with injuries. Photo Courtesy Jeremy Hamilton/Edmonton Sun Reader photo

Jeremy Hamilton/Edmonton Sun Reader photo

A multi-vehicle crash of up to 100 cars on Highway Q.E. 2 south of Leduc, Alta., about 33 km south of Edmonton has sent up to 300 people to hospital with injuries. Photo Courtesy Jeremy Hamilton/Edmonton Sun Reader photo

Jeremy Hamilton/Edmonton Sun Reader photo

A multi-vehicle crash of up to 100 cars on Highway Q.E. 2 south of Leduc, Alta., about 33 km south of Edmonton has sent up to 300 people to hospital with injuries. Photo Courtesy Jeremy Hamilton/Edmonton Sun Reader photo

Jeremy Hamilton/Edmonton Sun Reader photo

A multi-vehicle crash of up to 100 cars on Highway Q.E. 2 south of Leduc, Alta., about 33 km south of Edmonton has sent up to 300 people to hospital with injuries. Photo Courtesy Jeremy Hamilton/Edmonton Sun Reader photo

Jeremy Hamilton/Edmonton Sun Reader photo

Alberta Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation Derek Fildebrand was on a Red Arrow bus from Calgary to Edmonton when they came across a multi-vehicle crash of up to 100 cars on Highway Q.E. 2 south of Leduc, Alta., about 33 km south of Edmonton that has sent up to 300 people to hospital with injuries on March 21, 2013. No one on the bus was injured. Photo Courtesy Derek Fildebrandt/Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Derek Fildebrandt/Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Alberta Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation Derek Fildebrand was on a Red Arrow bus from Calgary to Edmonton when they came across a multi-vehicle crash of up to 100 cars on Highway Q.E. 2 south of Leduc, Alta., about 33 km south of Edmonton that has sent up to 300 people to hospital with injuries on March 21, 2013. No one on the bus was injured. Photo Courtesy Derek Fildebrandt/Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Derek Fildebrandt/Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Thursday March 21, 2013. A scene from the clean-up after a mass collision scene south of the Millet on Hwy QEII, (about 33 km south of Edmonton). Police estimate 85 to 100 vehicles were either directly or indirectly involved at the scene. This number does not take into account the numerous secondary collisions outside of the immediate scene. One adult male was taken to the university hospital with serious injuries, he remains in serious but stable condition. Numerous other people were treated on scene and others were treated and released for mild to moderate injuries at local area. RCMP Hand Out

RCMP Hand Out

Thursday March 21, 2013. A scene from the clean-up after a mass collision scene south of the Millet on Hwy QEII, (about 33 km south of Edmonton). Police estimate 85 to 100 vehicles were either directly or indirectly involved at the scene. This number does not take into account the numerous secondary collisions outside of the immediate scene. One adult male was taken to the university hospital with serious injuries, he remains in serious but stable condition. Numerous other people were treated on scene and others were treated and released for mild to moderate injuries at local area. RCMP Hand Out

RCMP Hand Out

Thursday March 21, 2013. A scene from the clean-up after a mass collision scene south of the Millet on Hwy QEII, (about 33 km south of Edmonton). Police estimate 85 to 100 vehicles were either directly or indirectly involved at the scene. This number does not take into account the numerous secondary collisions outside of the immediate scene. One adult male was taken to the university hospital with serious injuries, he remains in serious but stable condition. Numerous other people were treated on scene and others were treated and released for mild to moderate injuries at local area. RCMP Hand Out

RCMP Hand Out

Thursday March 21, 2013. A scene from the clean-up after a mass collision scene south of the Millet on Hwy QEII, (about 33 km south of Edmonton). Police estimate 85 to 100 vehicles were either directly or indirectly involved at the scene. This number does not take into account the numerous secondary collisions outside of the immediate scene. One adult male was taken to the university hospital with serious injuries, he remains in serious but stable condition. Numerous other people were treated on scene and others were treated and released for mild to moderate injuries at local area. RCMP Hand Out

Thursday’s icy blast left highways leading in and out of Edmonton littered with ditched vehicles while wait times for tow-trucks stretched up to six hours.

Randy Loyk, spokesman for Alberta Motor Association, said emergency situations were getting responses within an hour, but clearing all calls could take a full day. And emergency crews warn the Arctic blast conditions call for a plan.

“It really details the need for people to be prepared,” said Michael Tucker, spokesman for Edmonton Fire Rescue Services.

Tucker said those who find themselves stuck should keep an emergency kit nearby including non-perishable food, a blanket and a shovel.

“Be prepared to stay warm,” said Tucker, adding a more comprehensive list can be found online at www.getprepared.gc.ca.

Preparation can also mean having a flexible schedule, especially for those headed to the airport.

“We always try to give that same message to give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. If you miss your flight the challenge is getting you on another flight because the flights are so full at this time of year,” said Traci Bednard, spokeswoman for Edmonton International Airport, adding spring break has made the airport even busier. “Air Canada and WestJet have said that they are allowing people to rebook. So that’s an option for people.”

Not everyone has suffered from the storm, however.

“All that’s happening out there is starting to slow us down now just because of the pure volume,” said Wolfgang Robert of Cliff’s Towing in Leduc. “Hopefully it clears up soon, although we don’t mind being busy.”

Cindy Piazza of Flying J gas station in Nisku admitted the weather means a spike in business. She said most customers were filling up after waiting in traffic, some for up to four hours.

“Let’s just say that they’re running for a pee break fast and they’re buying lots of food, which is good,” said Piazza.

As Advertised in the Edmonton SUN

Alberta storm leaves hundreds of motorists and passengers stranded

Thursday’s icy blast left highways leading in and out of Edmonton littered with ditched vehicles while wait times for tow-trucks stretched up to six hours.

Randy Loyk, spokesman for Alberta Motor Association, said emergency situations were getting responses within an hour, but clearing all calls could take a full day. And emergency crews warn the Arctic blast conditions call for a plan.

“It really details the need for people to be prepared,” said Michael Tucker, spokesman for Edmonton Fire Rescue Services.

Tucker said those who find themselves stuck should keep an emergency kit nearby including non-perishable food, a blanket and a shovel.

“Be prepared to stay warm,” said Tucker, adding a more comprehensive list can be found online at www.getprepared.gc.ca.

Preparation can also mean having a flexible schedule, especially for those headed to the airport.

“We always try to give that same message to give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport.